A GOOD STORY FROM BELGIUM.
A good story reaches us from Belgium, the truth of ■which is guaranteed. A hankinghouse at Verviers recently received a letter from a bank at Buda-Peath. The recipients knew that it related to a matter of great importance; but unfortunately they could not master the contents of the missive, as it was written in the Hungarian language, and there was not a soul at Verveirs who under, stood that tongue. Accordingly one of the partnerstook a journey to Brussels, expectingtofind everythinghe wantedat thecapital; bnt only to be disappointed—nobody at the banks could read Hungarian. There was, however, still the Austro-Hungarian Embassy, whither the banker betook himself, to learn that there was an attache who spoke Hungarian, but he had gone to Biarritz for some sea-bathing. Almost in despair the hero of the story called upon the burgomaster, with whom he was acquainted, and related his troubles. After some thought, his worship, striking his forehead, exclaimed, “ After all, sometimes our foolish ideas prove the best." "With this enigmatical observation he asked for the letter. The next day he returned the original to the gentleman from Yerveirs, with a translation in French, in a neat feminine hand. "To what Hungarian fairy do I owe this good fortune?”
asked the delighted banker. “ This is an affair involving some millions, and I shall be happy to pay a handsome douceur to the translator who has enabled me to get at the meaning of the letter in time to conclude the affair.” “ I take you at your word,” replied the burgomaster. “Give me 10,000 francs for the poor of Brussels, for the translator is none other than the Queen. She has experienced a lively satisfaction in employing her knowledge of the Hungarian language to oblige one of her subjects.” The Queen of the Belgians is a daughter of the Archduke Joseph, whose beneficent rule of Hungary is still remembered by the people; and she was born in the capital city during her father’s palatinate.
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Bibliographic details
New Zealand Times, Volume XXXVII, Issue 6440, 3 December 1881, Page 3
Word Count
334A GOOD STORY FROM BELGIUM. New Zealand Times, Volume XXXVII, Issue 6440, 3 December 1881, Page 3
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